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Reportage By: Tony Concrete

Manga D’Auteur: The Witches Cycle Chapter 1 and Tony Concrete on the Series

The Witches Cycle is French artist Tony Concrete‘s latest creation, a bikepacking-themed manga that follows the lives of two witches, Vera and Mary.

Set in a territory on the border of France and Germany under a fictionalized administration, the two witches have taken an oath to use their powers to protect the natural world from the encroachment of concrete, using bikes instead of broomsticks, while also confronting the real-world dilemmas of money, friendship, and social-political issues.

We’re beyond thrilled to announce that The Radavist will be sharing all installments from The Witches Cycle, starting today with Chapter 1. Find the first issue by scrolling through the gallery, and read on below for some background on the series from the creator.

Reportage By: Travis Engel

Speed Metal: A REEB Steezl Review

There was a very broad range of very specific questions rattling around in Travis Engel’s head as he waited for the REEB Steezl to arrive. A lot more questions than normal. Usually, all he has to do for a bike review is keep riding it until he can put all its variables into context. The REEB Steezl, on the other hand, was top-to-bottom known-unknowns. It’s a U.S.-made steel full-suspension mountain bike, compatible with multiple shocks, multiple chainstay lengths, and made of multiple frame materials. Things got interesting. Hold my REEB.

Reportage By: Ryan Wilson

Pedaling in Páramos: A Ride Along Colombia’s “Oh Boyacá!” Route

When Ryan Wilson made his first trip to Colombia in 2022, there was one region of the country that was high on his list to ride, but after getting distracted by the abundant opportunities for exploration, he somehow found his visa days dwindling. Naturally, when he was able to return for a lengthier trip the following year, heading to Boyacá—birthplace of Colombian road cycling legends like Nairo Quintana—was a top priority…

Radar

Elephant Bikes’ NFE Are Back With a Single Pre-Order for 2024

The almightly Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer, or NFE for short, is now available for pre-order! Elephant Bikes is building a single batch of green, thru-axle stock NFEs in early 2024—delivery in May. Read on for more…

Radar By: Andy White

Readers’ Rides: What a Difference a Ride Makes – Andy White’s Drop Bar Karate Monkey

Sometimes it takes really pushing a bike to unlock its potential. This was the case for Andy White of FYXO on a recent bush bash down in Australia aboard his trusty Karate Monkey. Read on for a full review of this tried-and true-touring platform…

Reportage By: Kurt Refsnider

Kurt Refsnider Answers Your Questions About Riding Across Alaska on the Iditarod Trail

With its high consequences and steep gear-barrier to entry, winter bikepacking and backcountry travel can be an intimidating pursuit. After touring the complete, nearly 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail across Alaska in early 2023, Kurt Refsnider answers the questions he got from followers along the trail. Read on for a brief history of this legendary trail, Kurt’s complete gear list, and the challenges you can expect to encounter along the way.

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If You Ride in the Santa Fe National Forest, Please Read This!

The Caja Del Rio, the westernmost edge of the Santa Fe National Forest has been neglected by management over the years, resulting in an excess of illegal dumping, shooting, cattle grazing, and UHV abuse. Yet, this area is a bastian for locals looking for lower-elevation riding in the frigid winter months and maintains a rich and diverse biome. Animals use the Caja for a habitat as high-end/luxury housing has expanded and golf courses installed in a water-parched landscape.

Energy.gov is currently seeking public comments related to the destruction of habitat in favor of a power line installation from Los Alamos.

This comment period was extended as it was illegally posted during the holidays. So, if you ride bikes in the Caja, or believe the sacred home of the Cochiti Pueblo should be protected, please comment. Read more below…

Reportage By: Sam Rice

When Labor Turns to Love: Build Your Own Bike With LaFraise Cycles

As part of their European tour this summer, Sam Rice and Bec Norman stopped off in Roubaix, France to spend a few days with Andreas Behrens of LaFraise Cycles. On the dawn of his 200th student, they share a shop visit that draws on Andreas’s mesmerizing past and his present-day mission to share the craft of framebuilding with people around the world.

Reportage By: Morgan Taylor & Andrew Hartline

Easy Wins and Marginal Gains: Our Review Fairlight Secan Goes Ultra Distance

While most review bikes go back into a company’s demo fleet pretty quickly, the Fairlight Secan that Morgan Taylor reviewed back in 2022 has gone on to live an illustrious life of ultra-distance riding, mostly of the randonneuring variety, with their friend Andrew. In this re-review, Morgan and Andrew consider the Secan’s updated build and speak to the easy wins and marginal gains of preparing both bike and rider for very long days in the saddle.

Radar By: Travis Engel

Interval Straining: What Actually Happens if You Don’t Regularly Service Your Bicycle Suspension?

If you own a car, you change your oil. And not just because it’s part of adulting. Even if you know nothing about engines, you probably know what can happen if you push it too far. Debris will eventually build up, viscosity will eventually break down, and the more miles your car travels in that condition, the fewer miles it will last. But if you own bicycle suspension, the specific reasons for performing regular service may not be quite so clear.

Travis Engel knows a lot more about shocks and forks than he does about rods and pistons, but he doesn’t know exactly what happens when he blows past the manufacturer-recommended 50- and 200-hour service intervals. And like many riders, he pretty much always blows past them. So, he did some research and is here to tell us what we are (and aren’t) risking when we ignore the proverbial sticker in the upper left corner of our suspension’s proverbial windshield.

Radar

A First Look at Sim Works’ New Doppo Locust Touring Bike and SimLoaders Bags

We got our first look at the made in Portland, Oregon Sim Works SimLoaders bags during our Chris King Open House Reportage this year and today, the Japanese brand announced the full lineup, coinciding with a completely redesigned Doppo touring bike, now dubbed the Locust and with either 27.5×2.8″ or 29×2.4″ tire clearance!

We first showcased the Doppo when John did a bike tour around Mt. Fuji with the Circles crew back in 2016, so it’s exciting to see the newest permutation of this line. Read on for a complete look at the SimLoaders Bags and the new Doppo Locust below!

Radar

Radar Roundup: Kat Litty Panniers, Dispersed 6mm to 14mm Adapter, Jank Beverage Clip, Wolf Tooth Holiday MTB Giveaway, Alpacka Sled?, The Hill Project, and America’s Best Gravel Ride?

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Radar

REMINDER: December’s Group Ride Giveaway: Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Edition Floor Pump

You’ve still got some time to be entered to win the nicest pump ever for our December Group Ride giveaway!

Join our Group Ride subscription plan by December 31st and be entered for a chance to win a Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Floor Pump! This is open to Group Ride members worldwide!

We’re stoked to offer up one highest-end pump to a random selection from our Group Ride subscribers. The Silca SuperPista is made in the USA. It’s rebuildable, serviceable, and durable! Our good friends at Silca have offered a free pump for one lucky subscriber.

Check this post out for all the information on how to join Group Ride for $6.66/month or $69.69/year.

SIGN UP HERE.

November’s Group Ride Giveaway–from PAUL–was Pierre from Houston, TX! Congrats, Pierre!

Radar

Video Roundup: Canvas, Atmospheric River Rats 2.0, Tooling Around with Pat, Ride to Ski, and Evasion Bike Check

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Reportage By: Katherine Moore

The New Traws Eryri Trail: Bikepacking Across Wales’s Most Intimidating Mountain Range

After three years in the making, Cycling UK and Natural Resources Wales launched Traws Eryri this summer, a new 200-kilometer bikepacking route that crosses Eryri National Park in North Wales. Among the first to ride it, Katherine Moore gives her verdict on the Welsh rough stuff.

Radar

Radar Roundup: Sour Bicycles Ready to Ship, Vigor Polished Rolf Prima Wheels, Crust Cold Steel Crew Neck, A NOS Aluminum Stigmata?!?!, Gravel Mania, and Drew Dropping the Hammer

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Radar

Readers’ Rides: Geoff’s ’93 Rockhopper Vintage MTB Disc Brake Conversion

Lots of people are into adapting vintage 1990s MTBs into modern gravel bikes, yet Geoff went one step further with his 1993 Rockhopper: he took on a disc brake conversion. In his garage! Let’s check out his process and final product below…

Radar

Dirty Sundays’ Velo Cosmos Event Recap!

Back in November, Dirty Sundays hosted the first Velo Cosmos event at the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, CA. We are honored to host an event recap, written by Whit at Meriwether Cycles and documented professionally by Reel 23 Films and Jean Paul Rose. Let’s check it out below!